The Current State of Manchester Clubs

Manchester United and Manchester City, two of the most storied clubs in English football, are set to face each other in what might be the most underwhelming Manchester derby in recent memory. Both teams have been struggling, and their upcoming match could highlight the lowest point in their historic rivalry.

Manchester United's Struggles

Manchester United have been in a state of decline for years. Despite a last-minute penalty from Bruno Fernandes securing a 3-2 win over Burnley, the team's performance has been far from convincing. Manager Ruben Amorim's tactics have come under scrutiny, especially after a Carabao Cup shootout loss to fourth-tier Grimsby Town. The team's opening week loss to Arsenal and a 1-1 draw with Fulham have only added to the woes.

Manchester City's Decline

Manchester City, on the other hand, have also been underperforming. With two losses in their first three matches, the team is far from the dominant force they once were. Reigning Ballon d'Or winner Rodri's return from injury has not been the turning point many hoped for, as he himself admitted, "I'm not Messi. I'm not going to come back and just make the team win and win and win."

The Upcoming Derby

When the two teams met in April, they produced one of the worst games of last season—a scoreless draw with no dangerous chances created. While this Sunday's match at the Etihad might not be as uncompetitive, it comes at a time when both teams are at their lowest collective point since the Abu Dhabi takeover of City in 2008.

A Brief History of the Rivalry

Since 2008, Manchester City's rise under the Abu Dhabi ownership has been meteoric, culminating in multiple Premier League titles. Manchester United, under Sir Alex Ferguson, also enjoyed significant success but have been in decline since his retirement. The rivalry has seen ups and downs, but the current state of both teams is a far cry from their glory days.

Why One Club Might Be Closer to Turning It Around

Manchester United's struggles are well-documented, but their underlying statistics suggest they might be closer to turning things around than City. Despite their poor results, United have generated the most expected goals in the league. If they can start converting these chances, they could see an improvement in their fortunes.

Manchester City, however, continue to struggle defensively. Their new signings have not addressed their most glaring weaknesses, and their title odds have significantly dropped. Manager Pep Guardiola has a history of solving tactical problems, but the team's issues persist.

Conclusion

As the two Manchester clubs prepare to face each other, the focus will be on whether this derby marks the nadir of their rivalry or if it can serve as a turning point for one of the teams. While both clubs have a long way to go to return to their former glory, the upcoming match could provide some much-needed clarity on their respective paths forward.